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Published on: July 26, 2017
The many paths to p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in the immune system
1Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. jda@pop.nci.nih.gov
Abstract:
Signals emanating from many cell-surface receptors and environmental cues converge on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which in turn phosphorylate and activate various transcription factors and other molecular effectors. Members of the p38 MAPK family, which respond to pro-inflammatory cytokines and cellular stresses, are typically activated by serial phosphorylation and activation of upstream kinases (the MAPK cascade). In this Review, I highlight the recent studies that indicate that p38-subfamily members can also be activated by non-canonical mechanisms, at least one of which seems to have an important role in antigen-receptor-activated T cells. These alternative pathways might have particular relevance for cells that participate in immune and inflammatory responses.
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